2011 Ram 1500
Problems, recalls and owner-reported issues
Electrical system is the leading concern among 689 owner complaints filed for this model year. This is the 8th highest complaint count among 17 1500 model years with reports.
Of the 2011 reports, 28 involved a crash and 7 involved a fire. 21 people were injured.
What owners report most often
Recalls and investigations
Fuel system, gasoline, storage, tank assembly, mountingMar 8, 2018
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2009-2012 Dodge Ram 1500 trucks currently, or ever registered, in Connecticut, Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia. Exposure to environmental conditions such as water mixed with road salt may cause the front fuel tank strap frame "T-Slot" bracket to corrode, possibly causing the fuel tank to drop and make contact with the ground.
If the fuel tank were to drop and contact the ground, a fuel leak may result. Additionally, in the event of a crash, the fuel tank may not remain secured to the vehicle, possibly causing a fuel leak. A fuel leak in the presence in an ignition source, can increase the risk of a fire.
Chrysler will notify owners and dealers will bolt a bracket reinforcement to the frame, free of charge. The recall began May 2, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is U04.
Campaign 18V160000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, automatic transmission, lever and linkage, column shiftDec 20, 2017
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain 2016-2017 Ram 3500 Cab Chassis with a Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) of less than 10,000 lbs, 2011-2017 Ram 3500, 4500 and 5500 Cab Chassis vehicles, 2009-2017 Ram 1500 and 2010-2017 Ram 2500 and 3500 pickup trucks, all equipped with a column shifter. Pushing the brake pedal for prolonged periods when the vehicle is running and in PARK may cause the Brake Transmission Shift Interlock (BTSI) pin to stick in the open position. With the pin in the open position, the transmission can be shifted out of PARK into any gear without pushing the brake pedal or having the key in the ignition.
Being able to shift the transmission without pushing the brake pedal and/or without a key in the ignition can increase the risk of an unintended vehicle rollaway that may result in personal injury or a crash.
Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will update the vehicle software, inspect the BTSI, and, as necessary, replace it, free of charge. The recall began February 26, 2018. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is T79.
Campaign 17V821000 on NHTSA.gov
Power train, driveline, differential unitFeb 6, 2013
Chrysler is recalling certain model year 2009-2012 Ram 1500 trucks manufactured from February 27, 2008, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through October 20, 2011; model year 2009-2011 Dodge Dakota trucks manufactured from February 27, 2007, through June 30, 2009, and from December 1, 2009, through September 30, 2011; model year 2009 Chrysler Aspen trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008; and model year 2009 Dodge Durango trucks manufactured from January 3, 2008, through December 18, 2008. The rear axle pinion nut may loosen due to an undersized pinion spline that can allow relative motion between the nut and companion flange.
If the rear axle pinion nut loosens, the axle can lock up and cause a loss of vehicle control and/or a vehicle crash with little warning.
On November 7, 2013 Chrysler notified owners that dealers would install a pinion nut retainer, free of charge. In July 2015, and under a consent order with NHTSA, the company agreed to offer owners three options for remedying their vehicles: perform the original remedy, offer to repurchase the vehicle at the fair market value plus 10%, or offer an additional incentive offer towards the purchase of a new Dodge, Jeep, Chrysler, or Fiat vehicle. Chrysler will notify owners of the new recall options in a letter expected to be mailed on August 31, 2015. Owners may contact Chrysler at 1-800-247-9753. Chrysler's recall campaign number is N08.
Campaign 13V038000 on NHTSA.gov
Suspension, rear, axle, spindleDec 24, 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2011 RAM 1500 TRUCKS MANUFACTURED FROM SEPTEMBER 2009 THROUGH DECEMBER 2010. SOME VEHICLES MAY HAVE EXPERIENCE A NOISE (GROWL, GRIND) COMING FROM THE REAR AXLE BEARING WHICH COULD EVENTUALLY SEIZE.
A FAILURE OF THE BEARING COULD CAUSE THE VEHICLE TO STALL INCREASING THE RISK OF A CRASH.
CHRYSLER WILL NOTIFY OWNERS AND WILL INSTALL AN OIL PORT INSERT INTO THE REAR AXLE FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON APRIL 4, 2011. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Campaign 10V656000 on NHTSA.gov
Representative owner complaints: other or unspecified
46 reports, newest first. Show all
Other or unspecified, Feb 16, 2018
MY TRUCK WOULD NOT START HAD IT DIAGNOSED. FOUND IT WAS ACOMMON PROBLEM. THE TIPM PART# RL692319AJ FOUND TO COST 900.00 CRAZY. IT WAS FOUND TO BE TO COMMON OF PROBLEM NOT TO BE ON A RECALL .......................I WOULD LIKE SOMEONE TO TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR SUCH AN EXPENSIVE REPAIR.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Jan 24, 2018
VEHICLE WILL STALL WHILE DRIVING WITHOUT WARNING (STEERING WHEEL WILL LOCK UP AND BRAKE PEDAL BECOME HARD), THE FUEL PUMP RELAY LOCATED WITH IN THE (TIPM) FAILS CAUSES VEHICLE NOT TO START OR RUN, ELECTRICAL ISSUES SUCH AS; SOME LIGHTS WORKING EVERY NOW AND THEN, CIGARETTE LIGHTER BLOWING FUSE,
Other or unspecified, Nov 26, 2017, crash
THE TIPM FAILED ON THE RAM 1500 2011. THIS PART SHOULD BE RECALLED AND CORRECTED ON ALL RAM MODELS. THE FAILURE CAUSED 1) THE TRUCK TO LUNGE FORWARD AND HIT MY HOUSE, 2) THE TRUCK TO NOT START WHICH CAUSED THE BATTERY TO BE REPLACE, THE FUEL PUMP TO BE REPLACED, AND FINALLY THE TIPM TO BE REPLACED.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Electronic stability control (ESC), Sep 23, 2017
TRUCK MAKES LOUD RUMBLING SOUNDS ON BOTTOM. THERE IS A MAJOR ELECTRICAL ISSUE WITH THE TRUCK THAT DRAINS BATTERY RESULTING IN THE TRUCK NOT STARTING. STRANDED MANY PLACES BECAUSE OF THIS ISSUE
Other or unspecified, Engine, Mar 17, 2017
AIR CONDITIONER CONDENSER UNDER DASH WENT OUT AT ABOUT 85,000 MILES. AT 105,000 MILES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. I TOOK IT TO 3 DIFFERENT SHOPS AND ALL 3 FOUND NUMBER 5 CYLINDER OF MY 5.7 CYLINDER ENGINE WAS NOT OPERATING PROPERLY. AFTER DEEPER INVESTIGATION IT TURNED OUT TO BE A WORN CAMSHAFT LOBE. ALL OIL CHANGES WERE DONE AT PROPER INTERVALS AND USED SYNTHETIC OILS. MECHANIC SAID IT WAS COMMON WITH THE 5.7 ENGINE.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 10, 2016
I WAS HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING MY TRUCK, SO I JUMPED IT WITH A BOOSTER PACK AND IT STARTED RIGHT UP. I PUT A NEW BATTERY IN AND WORKED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THEN IT BEGAN HAVING PROBLEMS STARTING AGAIN. I TOOK IT TO A DODGE DEALER AND THEY FOUND A FLASH FOR WCM THAT STATES FIXES INTERMITTENT START ISSUE AND REPROGRAMMED WCM. IT WORKED FOR A COUPLE OF DAYS AND THEN AGAIN BEGAN HAVING ISSUES STARTING AGAIN. I READ ONLINE THAT IF I SHIFT INTO NEUTRAL AND THEN TRY STARTING IT WILL WORK. THIS SEEMS TO WORK BUT IT IS ANNOYING AND I AM WORRIED IT WILL LEAVE ME STRANDED OR WORSE CAUSE AN ACCIDENT.
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Fuel/propulsion system, Sep 21, 2016
9-16-16: VEHICLE LOST ALL POWER AND HAD TO BE "JUMPED". 9-17-16: NEW BATTERY INSTALLED BUT LATER IN THE DAY, STARTING PROBLEMS WENT ON. 9-19-16: VEHICLE TAKEN TO DEALER; INITIAL PROBLEM IDENTIFIED AS NEEDING NEW FUEL PUMP AND PLUGS. LATER, THIS WAS THEN IDENTIFIED AS HAVING A FAULTY "TIPM" AND THAT COST WOULD BE OVER $2000.00 (THAT INCLUDED A NEW FUEL PUMP. INTERNET RESEARCH SHOWS THAT THE MANUFACTURER HAS APPARENTLY BEEN AWARE OF THIS PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT TAKE ACTION TO ISSUE A RECALL. IN REALITY, DID WE BUY A VEHICLE WHICH THE MANUFACTURER KNEW TO CONTAIN DEFECTIVE PARTS? PARTS, WHICH IN REALITY, CAUSE SAFETY ISSUES? SHAME ON THEM! I THOUGHT THAT I HAD A QUALITY VEHICLE. I PAID OVER $45,000 FOR THIS TRUCK AND IT WAS BUILD WITH THIS DEFECTIVE PART? HELP ME OUT HERE AND HELP OUT THOUSANDS OF OTHERS WHO ARE JUST WAITING FOR THE SAME THING TO HAPPEN.
Other or unspecified, Sep 8, 2016
BOUGHT NEW. HAD ONLY HAD FEW MONTHS AND ENTIRE DASH HAD TO BE PULLED BECAUSE AIR CONDITIONING COIL EXPLODED AND COATED WINDSHIELD WITH OIL CAUSING DRIVER TO NOT BE ABLE TO SEE. VEHICLE WAS KEPT 2 WEEKS FOR THIS. SINCE THEN VEHICLE HAS BEEN IN SHOP FOR NON WORKING AIR CONDITIONER MULTIPLE TIMES AND I AM HAVING TO PAY $100 EACH TIME TO GET SHOP TO EVEN LOOK AT IT AND IT STILL ISN'T WORKING. THEY ACKNOWLEDGE THERE IS A PROBLEM BUT WILL NOT REPAIR PROBLEM. I PAID $2600 FOR MAX CARE WARRANTY AND SHOP WILL NOT ACKNOWLEDGE THAT I HAVE IT. STILL SAME PROBLEM. I SHOULDN'T HAVE TO PAY A CENT BECAUSE THIS IS ALL THE SAME PROBLEM THAT HAS EXISTED SINCE VEHICLE WAS NEW.
Steering, Air bags, Other or unspecified, Jul 31, 2016
TAKATA RECALL. MY 2011 DODGE RAM HEMI SPORT. THE STEERING WHEEL HORN PAD OVER MY SRS AIRBAG IS CRACKED AND CRACKING MORE EACH DAY. IM AFRAID THAT IT WILL MAKE MY AIRBAG POP OR SHOW AND INJURE MY SELF OR OTHERS DRIVING. IT JUST STARTED A COUPLE DAYS AGO WHILE I WAS DRIVING AND HAD TO HIT THE HORN.
Other or unspecified, Feb 1, 2016
S10 DIRECT REPLY- REQUESTING ASSISTANCE WITH THE FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOTIVE (FCA) BUY BACK PROGRAM. *SMD
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Jan 18, 2016
RAM BUYBACK CASE HANDED DOWN IN JULY OF 2015. I BELIEVE MY VEHICLE IS AFFECTED IN THIS BUYBACK PROGRAM. FRONT SUSPENSION, STEERING, AND REAR AXLE ARE AFFECTED.
Other or unspecified, Nov 22, 2015
TIPM (TOTALLY INTEGRATED POWER MODULE)
Other or unspecified, Nov 8, 2015
TIPM MODULE FAILED. ALMOST GOT KILLED BECAUSE OF IT. CAR STALLED ON ROADWAY CAR ALMOST REAR ENDED ME!!! I HEARD THERE IS A CLASS ACTION LAWSUIT ALREADY FILED BUT DO NOT KNOW IF MY CAR IS COVERED. IT HAS THE SAME TIPM MODULE IN IT.
Other or unspecified, Aug 8, 2015
AFTER LEARNING ABOUT THE MASSIVE RECALL/BUY-BACK OF RAM 1500 TRUCKS DUE TO STEERING COLUMN AND REAR AXLE ISSUES, I CALLED MY RAM DEALER IMMEDIATELY. DEALERSHIP STATED THAT THEY NEVER HEARD OF THE $105M RECALL AFFECTING NEARLY 1.5M VEHICLES AND DIRECTED ME TO CALL CHRYSLER CORPORATION. I CALLED SEVERAL OTHER RAM DEALERSHIPS AND THEY STATED THE SAME--CALL CHRYSLER DIRECTLY. CALLED CHRYSLER CORP AND GOT A BUSY SIGNAL. TRIED A DIFFERENT NUMBER AND GOT DISCONNECTED. CALLED A THIRD NUMBER AND GOT DISCONNECTED AGAIN. CALLED THE NEXT DAY AND GOT THE SAME WITH ALL 3 TELEPHONE NUMBERS. I EVEN TRIED TO LOOK UP ANY RECALL INFO ON CHRYSLER'S WEB SITE USING MY VIN, BUT CHRYSLER'S WEB SITE SHOWED ZERO RECALLS FOR MY RAM 1500. IT'S BEEN A WEEK SINCE THIS ALL TOOK PLACE AND CHRYSLER'S WEB SITE STILL SHOWS NO RECALLS EVEN THOUGH THE RECALLS ARE LISTED ON THE NTSB WEB SITE. CANNOT GET ANY RESOLUTION OR ASSISTANCE FROM CHRYSLER CORP OR DEALERSHIPS! NTSB SHOULD FINE CHRYSLER ANOTHER $105M!!!
Other or unspecified, Aug 5, 2015
AT INTERSTATE SPEEDS TRUCK HAS VIBRATION. THOUGHT MAYBE RIM HAD LOST COUNTER WEIGHT. NOT THE CASE AFTER DOING SOME RESEARCH. I BELIEVE CHRYSLER HAS NOT DONE ALL HOMEWORK ON THE LATEST RECALL WHICH I HAD KNOWN NOTHING ABOUT UNTIL THIS BIG ISSUE WITH THE BUYBACK. OF COURSE MY TRUCK HAS NO RECALLS WHAT SO EVER. MY TRUCK WAS MANUFACTURED IN MARCH 2011. FROM WHAT I HAVE READ RECALL COVERS TRUCKS MANUFACTURED THROUGH DECEMBER 2011. NOT SURE THAT MY TRUCK HAS PINION NUT ISSUES BUT SOUNDS LIKE THE SYMPTOMS. ANYONE OTHER OWNERS RUNNING INTO THIS?
Steering, Suspension, Other or unspecified, Aug 4, 2015
SAFETY RECALL N08 / NHTSA 13V-038 REAR AXLE PINION NUT I HAD MY VEHICLE CALLED IN FOR A RECALL AFTER PURCHASE AT THE END OF 2013. EVER SINCE THEN I HAVE HAD SHAKY AND JERKY STEERING AT TIMES ESPECIALLY AT A HIGHWAY RATE OF SPEED (55-70 MPH). I HAVE NOT TAKEN IT TO THE DEALERSHIP DUE TO FINANCES AND MY WARRANTY IS NO LONER VALID. AFTER READING THE RECALL DETAILS NOW I AM ASSUMING THIS HAS BEEN THE ISSUE. AFTER READING WHAT COULD POSSIBLY HAPPEN DUE TO THIS ISSUE I FEEL UNSAFE DRIVING THE VEHICLE AND NO LONER ALLOW MY 1 YEAR OLD SON IN THE VEHICLE.
Steering, Other or unspecified, Jul 27, 2015
PURCHASED TRUCK 2/7/15. NOTICED IT DRIFTED AND PULLED. TOOK TRUCK BACK FOR SERVICE TWICE. WAS TOLD BOTH TIMES THE ALIGNMENT WAS WITHIN FACTORY SPEC. THE SECOND TIME I WAS TOLD IT WAS DUE TO DIFFERENT TIRE TREAD DEPTHS. THE TIRES WERE BRAND NEW, INSTALLED BY THE DEALERSHIP. NOW STILL THE TRUCK FEELS VERY UNSTABLE ON THE ROAD, CONSTANTLY WEAVING LEFT TO RIGHT. WHEN HITTING A BUMP IN THE ROAD IT FEELS AS IF THE FRONT END IS COMING APART. MY TRUCK WAS EVIDENTLY PART OF THE "AXEL RECALL" WHICH IS NOW PART OF THIS LARGE FIASCO REQUIRING THE TRUCK BE BOUGHT BACK FROM ME BUT I CANNOT GET A HOLD OF FIAT CHRYSLER AUTOMOTIVE FOR MORE INFORMATION.
Other or unspecified, May 21, 2015
NEARLY A YEAR AGO, I RECEIVED NOTICE FROM RAM OF A RECALL ON A REAR AXLE PINION NUT. THEY SAID THAT THE NUT COULD LOOSEN DUE TO UNDERSIZED PINION SHAFT SPLINES, POSSIBLY CAUSING THE REAR AXLE TO SEIZE OR CAUSE THE DRIVE SHAFT TO SEPARATE, POSSIBLY CAUSING A CRASH WITHOUT WARNING. WHEN I CALLED A LOCAL DEALER IN REGARDS TO THE RECALL NOTICE, THEY SAID THAT THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE REQUIRED PART TO REMEDY THE RECALL AND THAT THEY MAY RECEIVE THE PART IN SEPTEMBER OF 2014. I WAITED UNTIL OCTOBER TO CALL AND SCHEDULE AN APPOINTMENT AND THEY STILL DIDN'T HAVE IT. NOW IN MAY 2015, I'VE RECEIVED BETWEEN 4-5 MORE NOTICES SINCE THE FIRST AND I TRIED TO GET THE PART FIXED OR REPLACED AND THE DEALER STILL DOESN'T HAVE THE PART TO FIX THE PROBLEM. I ASK YOU THEN NHTSA, WHAT THE HELL IS THE POINT IN HAVING CAR MANUFACTURERS SEND NOTICES LIKE THESE OUT TELLING CONSUMERS TO GET THE PROBLEMS FIXED IN A TIMELY MANNER WHEN THAT IS NOT POSSIBLE?! WHAT IS YOUR FIX TO FIX THE CAR MANUFACTURERS AND LOOK OUT FOR CONSUMERS AND THE PUBLIC SAFETY?!
Other or unspecified, Sep 19, 2013
TL- THE CONTACT OWNS A 2011 DODGE RAM 1500. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE RECIVED A RECALL NOTICE NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 13V038000 (POWER TRAIN) UNFORTUNATELY THE PARTS ARE NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT HE HASN'T EXPERIENCED ANY PROBLEM. JR
Electrical system, Other or unspecified, Dec 31, 2011, fire
MY RAM 1500 INEXPLICABLY CAUGHT FIRE AND BURNED TO THE GROUND AFTER SITTING OUTSIDE FOR APPROXIMATELY 12 HOURS. THE VEHICLE WAS LOCKED, AS WERE THE BED COVER, THE TAILGATE, AND THE RAM BOXES. THERE WAS NOTHING IN THE BED OR RAMBOXES. WE WERE ALERTED TO THE FIRE AT AROUND 6 AM BY 1) AN EXPLOSION AND 2) NEIGHBOR ALERT. WHEN WE WENT OUTSIDE THE TRUCK'S BED WAS ENGULFED IN FIRE, AND THE FIRE LOOKED TO BE FROM UNDERNEATH AND COMING UP AROUND THE BED. THE EXPLOSION WAS EITHER THE SPARE TIRE OR THE GAS TANK. WITHIN 10 MINUTES THE ENTIRE TRUCK WAS ENGULFED, AND COMPLETELY BURNED/MELTED, ETC., WITHIN 25 OR SO MINUTES WHEN THE FIRE DEPT. FINALLY ARRIVED TO PUT IT OUT. THE FIRE MARSHAL DECLARED THAT THE CAUSE COULD NOT BE DETERMINED, AS DID THE INSURANCE COMPANY'S LAB AFTER THEY EXAMINED THE VEHICLE DUE TO THE EXTENSIVE DAMAGE. WE LIVE IN A GATED, VIDEO MONITORED SMALL COMMUNITY AND REVIEW OF THE TAPES SHOWED NO STRANGE ACTIVITY. THERE IS NO HISTORY OF CRIMINAL ACTIVITY IN THIS AREA, AND CERTAINLY NO ARSON. THE GROUND SURROUNDING THE TRUCK WAS WET (IT WAS PARKED ON A CONCRETE PARKING SPACE) AS THE SPRINKLERS HAD RECENTLY RUN (GRASS, SHRUBS). REALLY NOT SURE IF THERE IS AN ISSUE WITH THE RAM, BUT GIVEN THAT ARSON ALSO SEEMS VERY UNLIKELY I THOUGHT WE SHOULD DOCUMENT THIS IN CASE THERE ARE OTHER EVENTS. *KB
Other or unspecified, Sep 28, 2011
FROM INITIAL PURHASE, VEHICLE HAS HAD A BAD VIBRATION & SHIMMY. MAINLY FELT BETWEEN 35 MPH AND UP. SEVERITY INCREASES WITH INTERSTATE SPEEDS. TIRES AND WHEELS HAVE BEEN RULED OUT AS THE CONCERN. TRUCK HAS BEEN TO DEALERSHIP 5 TIMES FOR THIS CONCERN BUT ONCE THE TIRES AND WHEELS WERE RULED OUT DEALERSHIP REFUSES TO DO ANY FURTHER INVESTIGATION. THE DISTRICT MANAGER STATES THAT NOTHING ELSE CAN BE DONE AND THE CONCERN IS NORMAL CHARACTERISTIC OF TRUCK. IT IS MY UNDERSTANDING THAT THIS IS A MAJOR CONCERN FOR A LARGE MAJORITY OF 09-UP RAM OWNERS AND NEEDS TO BE ADDRESSED FURTHER. THE VIBRATION AND SHIMMY ARE SEVERE ENOUGH TO MAKE MY WIFE AND I NAUSEATED AFTER DRIVING DOWN THE INTERSTATE FOR 5 MINUTES. *TT